Jackson determined to stop Long Island ‘exodus’

Ben Jackson is not only concerned about the cost of living in his community, but also the cost of the fentanyl drug crisis. Those concerns prompted him to seek the Nassau County Legislature seat that would otherwise be held by Debra Mulé after redistricting from earlier this year goes into effect.

President of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce for more than two years, Jackson wants to use his time in Mineola to create a safer community for his family and neighbors.

“I just see that things could be better,” Jackson told reporters at a recent Herald Roundtable session. “While I am walking around and talking to people, I hear concerns.”

Jackson started Ben’s General Contracting Corp., 43 years ago. He’s also on the board of Freeport for Veterans, and spends time working with Friends of Freeport, where he helps people impacted by different disasters like Hurricane Sandy.

Disasters like that cost the neighbors Jackson cares about money, which is why he says it’s vital to “hold the line” on property and sales taxes. Jackson deals with finances all the time — especially with his business — but also sees how the government just “throws money away.”

“I think with further research into where the tax money goes towards,” he said, “things can be done a bit more efficiently.”

People are leaving New York state — and Long Island — in massive numbers, with cost of living shouldering most of the blame. Jackson describes these departures as an “exodus,” which is why he would focus on this particular issue if elected. If his children and mother are struggling to afford to live on Long Island, then he could only imagine what it’s like for others. That makes affordability a personal issue for him.

“And once people leave, taxes go up,” Jackson said. “You have fewer people paying sales tax and property tax, so I think the quality of life issues and the cost of living are two things that concern me very much.”

While he’s all for holding taxes exactly where they are now, Jackson also wants to ensure critical areas like education and crime prevention are properly funded. He described the Nassau County Police Department as one of the best police departments in the country. But with statewide bail reform laws put in place last year, he feels officers here have their hands tied behind their backs.

It’s not that reform isn’t needed, Jackson said. It’s just this particular take on bail reform is just too drastic.

“We need to allow our judges to judge,” he added. With fentanyl overdoses on the rise, government must do more to combat drug dealers, Jackson said. Although this issue is being fought on the federal level, Jackson still believes he should have a voice in this as a legislator.

While he praises the efforts Mulé has undertook since taking office, Jackson says more can be done. That includes being more vocal about why drugs are continuing to cross the southern border into the United States, and how it can be stopped.

“I know I am not going to change the world,” Jackson said, “but I have to start somewhere.”